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Friday, April 04, 2014

I have a mini-tutorial using Craft Attitude to share with you today! It is a bit of a 'twist' on the regular 'pastel themed' decorated eggs and bunny. My muse decided to fashion a lovely little cherub with bunny ears and feathered wings, who is painting stipes on rose petals (I think Alice in Wonderland jumped into her mind along the way!) amidst a cluster of jeweled Easter eggs.

Two tiny feathers (optional) - you can buy these by the bag at Michael's

Seed beads

UHU glue

Scissors

Sewing Machine

and of course, a printer and a digital image to print out www.deviantscrap.com is a great place to find millions of images at an affordable price)

Steps

1. Print your digital artwork out on to Craft Attitude.

2. Coat the shiny side of your printed piece with a generous coating of UHU glue (don't worry, it dries clear) and smooth the two combined layers with your fingers, or iron it flat.

3. Trim the edges and then, using your sewing machine, single stitch around the outside of the rectangle.

4. Single stitch around areas in the composition you would like to define, using a variety of different threads.

5. I originally machine stitched several areas and then went back and hand embroidered areas that I wanted to highlight.

6. The cherub's hair is just a cluster of french knots, wrapped five times around the needle for more texture.

7. I then embroidered a blanket stitch around the outside of the rectangle followed by adding little gold seed beads .

8. Wanting more dimension, I attached the two feathers over the cherub's wings - you could also experiment with bits of lace or tatting.

9. I finished it off with decorating the eggs and adding a few stitches to define the cherub's paint brush.

A big thank you to Itkupilli and Tumble Fish Studio for the digital images (you can find themhere) I used to create the composition and to Craft Attitude for inviting me to participate in their Spring/Easter Celebration over on their Facebook page here

Wednesday, March 05, 2014

We have begun to slow down to the speed of life as we
begin Day 3 in "an undisclosed spiritual location" close to
Guadalajara, Mexico.

Above, I had summoned different spirit symbols to an adhoc
advisory board meeting on this new plane of reality. The time may have come for a review of the existing Board of Directors. I may seek to return to the Isles of Morpharchengigel, my primary homeland temporarily to reassess my roots.

Image credits from a number of
different elements primarily gathered at - Itkupilli, Tumble Fish Studio and Holliewood
Studios via Deviant Scrap.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

I am back in record time, to share my latest "Shoe Makeover"! Needless to say, I am finding great satisfaction in saving my old favorite shoes that have outlived their 'best by date' and then some. I am a very basic dresser. I wear the same earrings week after week, buy plain white Tshirts in bulk at Costco for $8.99 each and either blue jeans or black leggings. But, I do love me some variety in shoes. Not too blingy and heels are a thing I have left far behind in the past (except for 3-4 days per year). I am a comfort dresser and happy to be rid of caring about style. Warmth, practicality, natural fabrics and C-O-M-F-O-R-T.

As you can see, in the 'before' photo below, these shoes had seen much better days! I am sure I wore them everyday one summer, a couple of years ago - in fact, "plain old gnarly" seems to be the best way to describe them.

To see how easy it is to recycle your own favorite shoes - I posted a tutorial here.

All you need is two sheets of Craft Attitude - available here, a glue stick (I use UHU brand) a pair of scissors and an x-acto knife. That's it. Total makeover cost $5.00 (not including the new inner soles or original cost of the shoes)

I did break down and purchase new inner soles but I can swap out easily as I build my new collection of recycled ONE OF A KIND - altered art shoes!

Saturday, February 22, 2014

If you had a chance to read my last blog post, I mentioned I was just getting warmed up. After experiencing how easy I
altered the handbag, I immediately started looking for other items on hand I
could transform! Shoes was the next logical experiment and, I happen to have a
"small" collection to choose from.

This pair have seen better days (ya
think?) Since they were one step short of the trash bin, I thought there was
nothing to lose.

Before (pretty ratty heh?)

This is a beginner project and requires very little time, talent or supplies.

Here's all you need (minus the brayer):

1. I covered the shoes with one coat of Golden liquid acrylic paint
(titanium white) - you could also use a Folk Art paint (often available
at the dollar store for a buck or two)

2. You will need two sheets of Craft Attitude (available on-line at www.Amazon.com)3. Print your pattern using an inkjet printer on to the Craft Attitude sheets and remove the backing.

4. Liberally apply glue to the shoe - and I mean liberally. Don't scrimp on the glue people!

5. Place the translucent film over the shoe, lining it up to make sure it cover as much as the shoe as possible.

6. Using your fingers smooth out the Craft Attitude beginnning at the toe and working around to the sides. If you misalign it, you can lift it up again and reapply. It isn't that stressful! You have plenty of working time. The glue doesn't dry quickly and the film is sturdy and it is also a little stretchy and will 'move' 2-3 mm if you are out by a smidge.

7. Take your scissors and roughly cut out the area that is surplus that is laying over the opening in the shoe. (You will need this to finish the back of the shoe.) Cut out around the sole of the shoe in a similar fashion.

8. Using an x-acto knife, make your fine cuts to finish off the edges using the lines of the shoe and sole as your guide. With a sharp blade, a ten year old can manage this easily.

That's it! If you are doing this for the very first time, it may take up to an hour to finish both shoes. I have a bit of experience so I completed the project in under 30 minutes. Yes. Half an hour.

After shots:

How easy was that?

It took me much longer to complete this blog post than it did to transform these beat up shoes into a better than new pair of shoes! And, even though I am not a 'matchy-matchy' person, I just may throw on a white shirt, a pair of jeans and break into a new 'coordinated' look!

Thanks for reading! I am half way through my next pair of recycled shoes and will be back to share my musings early next week!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

I decided even though winter will still be on my doorstep for another two months at least, there wasn't any reason why I couldn't at least start thinking about spring! And spring to me means a couple of things - warmer days, and the rebirth of COLOR in nature. I've seen lots of cool examples over at the Craft Attitude Facebook Page on how to personalize your iPhone, but I rarely use mine unless I am travelling. So instead, I thought - why not try my hand at repurposing a rather lack-lustre handbag. I found this one at Winner's with a substantial discount and it was a light color. Since I was introduced to Craft Attitude about two years ago, I always have my eye open for light colored and inexpensive 'objects' to add some "Attitude" to!

Plain Old Inexpensive Handbag

This month I seem to be drawn to a color pallette that is half Bolliewoodish and have Bohemian and so once I`d layered a suitable number of images (courtesy of Iktupilli and Tumble Fish Studio) I adjusted the color pallettes to suit a brightly colored motif:

Back of Bag - digital collage

Front of Bag - digital collage

I used 3 sheets of Craft Attitude (you can use any type of Attitude product) - they are all the same just different packaging.....trust me on that!

And above is a photograph of the ALL of the supplies you need to make your handbag (gluestick,

scissors, x-acto knife, brayer....easy-peasy.

I really did not expect it to be this easy. The fabric of the handbag (100% polyester) seemed to be the perfect match for the Craft Attitude. I am NOT shy with the glue stick, - just sayin....please do not try to skimp on the glue or you may end up with bubbles underneath. Not pretty. I NEVER have any bubbles. I sometimes have globs of glue on my hands at the end of it all, but NO Bubbles EVER.

Above are photos of the front and back. The purse was not the same size as the Craft Attitude (8.5 x 11 inches) so I did have to add extra little strips to each side so that it it was fully covered. The pattern was very conducive to being able to do this successfully. Here are a few snap shots I took randomly in an effort to capture how beautifully the Craft Attitude molded to the fabric of the bag - I will be looking for more of this material!!

I remain impressed at how the film becomes part of the texture...if you look closely you can see slightly raised dots on the surface of the purse.

Craft Attitude Boho Handbag - Spring 2014 coming soon!

PS - I could not stop at just the bag.....I will be back in a few days with photos of.....I bet you can you guess what I made next? Stay tuned.

Thanks for the visit - and as always, your comments are always appreciated...more than you know!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Below is the process Linda Tanaka undertook to create her work titled "Walk In the Snow" for the Open Studio Project with Craft Attitude. To read more about Linda and her statement on this piece please follow this link.

2. Creating the calligraphic lettering to be transferred on to the Craft Attitude Transportable Inkjet Film -

3. Using a light table Linda made a sandwich of the paper
turned upside down and a layer of Craft Attitude taped on top, shiny side up. A traceable pattern allowed her to hand letter on the shiny side of the
Craft Attitude that could then be applied to the canvas.

Note: An alternative to the method Linda used above, you could also take a photo of your original calligraphic lettering, and then with an inkjet printer, print the lettering directly onto a sheet of Craft Attitude. Don't forget to choose " mirror image " in your printer setting options before printing it out.

3. Linda used a Nikko G flexible nib dip pen to letter on the shiny
side. The pen glides easily but does not allow for as much pressure and lift as
a calligrapher would want to use. The material is a bit “stretchy”; that
attribute is what allows Craft Attitude to be applied so successfully to a
textured surface. The calligrapher has to be careful not to distort the material
with too much downward pressure when making the stroke.

4. Cutting the Craft Attitude out -

5. She then adhered the art film onto her canvas substrate using Golden soft gel medium and completed her lovely textural piece.

Sunday, February 09, 2014

Today, I spent some time reflecting on how blessed I am for a list of reasons far too lengthy to begin to list here. I also began to make my "to do" list of what I hope to accomplish this week, adding in what plans were already booked.

Noticing Friday was Valentine's Day, I found myself thinking back to the times I spent as a divorced woman, raising two children . I can recall a few years when Valentine's Day was not about celebrating with someone I loved, but more about surviving another year of being rather frazzled and lonely. On more than one occasion I confess at some level I did partake in my own little pity party about how being a single woman in her 40's wasn't the life I had planned.

So now, when Valentine's Day approaches every year, even though I eventually did find the love of my life, I continue to count my blessings along with feeling a deep sense of compassion for the many single Moms out there who find themselves alone on a day designed for couples, but who probably deserve ( more than many others with husbands, boyfriends, or partners) a dinner out, a glass of champagne and a surprise bouquet of flowers to arrive at work.

Although I am not able to effect the lives of every single mother with children alone on Valentines Day, I can perhaps offer a small gift that may bring a smile to one woman's face on February 14th, 2014. It was a 'dream come true' for me to be published in this lovely book, and an honor for me to pay it forward!!! -

Here's how to enter:

If you are a single woman, raising children, or you know someone who is, OR, you can think of a good reason why you would be deserving, please leave a comment stating your reason below and this Friday I will select a winner who will receive a free copy of this beautiful hardcovered book - Incite: Dreams Realized - The Best of Mixed Media.

And, along with a stunning selection of artwork from 93 different artists, my artwork is featured on Page Five -

Friday, February 07, 2014

The folks at Craft Attitude were kind enough to invite me back to create a fun little Valentine's Day project with, you guessed it... Craft Attitude!

After pouring over dozens of Pinterest photos, tossing around a few ideas, I decided - Who says hearts have to be red?

I am declaring Valentines Day 2014 the year of the Green Heart!

So, here's my little idea along with a suggestion I hope you'll be open to??? Instead of surfing the web right now, why not spend an evening creating a few fragrant lavender filled potpourri's? The internet will wait. And start to finish all you will need is 3 hours.... and no experience is necessary!

All you have to do is find a nice cozy chair, print out one or more little heart shaped graphic (see below for link to FREE graphic), grab a needle and thread, maybe a glass of wine or a nice fragrant tea and by the end of the evening, you'll have a lovely little heart shaped potpourri. You can use an old pillow case or some such, nothing fancy. After all, isn't a gift that speaks of time dedicated and thoughtfulness felt worth more than a box of chocolates? (well, just, maybe?) Wrap one up for your BFF this Valentines Day...what girlfriend wouldn't appreciate this? Or maybe you need to just give yourself a well-deserved treat and tuck it inside your own lingerie (aka PJ's :0) ) drawer.

Here's what you need:

Heart images from Hidden Vintage Studios at Deviant Scrap . BLESS her soul, Tracey Parker, the Designer at Hidden Vintage generously offered to provide the heart graphics she created FREE OF CHARGE for you - you can download them here or here, or here. Thank you Tracey!!! If you want to send a thank you in the comment section beow, I'll be sure to forward them off to her! She's a true sweetheart. Thanks Tracey!

One sheet of Craft Attitude ( one sheet will be enough for 4 4x4 inch hearts)

Printer

Scissors

10x10 inch piece of repurposed fabric

Scissors

Thread

Needle

Embroidery thread

UHU Glue stick

seed beads

lavender and/ or polyester stuffing/fragrant loose tea, (or a drycleaning bag cut and squished up if push comes to shove!)

Ribbon, scraps of tatting, ephemera bits.

Steps:

1. Print the heart pattern out on to Craft Attitude Transportable Inkjet Film.

2. Glue shiny side and place over recycled cotton fabric.

3. Remove the backing attached to the art film and smooth the two combined layers out with your fingers, or iron it flat.

4. Now, cut the heart out, and leave about a quarter inch salvage.

5. Embroider, stitch, and embellish the heart complimenting the colors already in the collage to your heart's content. It's lovely just as is too if you are pressed for time!

6. Cut out the piece of fabric for the back side of heart, leaving a 1/4 inch salvage.

7. Placing right sides together, stitch around the heart, leaving a small opening to fill the heart with stuffing/lavender or???? Here's a thought - if you don't have lavender - check out your herbal/spiced tea bags...so many teas these days are so fragrant.

8. Stuff the heart and then stitch the heart closed.

9. Make a bow from ribbon and stitch to top of heart. Adourn it with any other found objects you have waiting for this exact moment!

Here's what the Craft Attitude Inkjet Film looks like as it is being removed from its backing. Tip: Be earth friendly and keep the backing for later use! I make greeting cards with it.

Gather your supplies (I always use a box to make clean up breeze.)With everything ready to go, next - boil the water, or pop the cork. Time to relax.

Stitch around various areas and add beads here and there. I came across an old piece of vintage tatting (the little cream colored round bits) and decided to sewed it on too. Depending on how much spare time you have, you can add more beading or stitching. Anything goes!

Most of all I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day (in any color you choose!) and thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Teaming up with the enthusiastic and uber talented Jonathan Fong, equally talented jewelry craft expert Candie Cooper and other well known Arts/ Crafts/Design professionals and enthusiasts, I am delighted to share with you a relatively new and exciting collage technique I've developed and test over the past several months. I call it the "Collage Under" and I'm excited to share thisexciting new image transfer technique.

In this step by step tutorial, I will walk you through a few simple steps showing you how easy it is to combine a few scrap papers ( you most probably have on hand) along with one sheet of Craft Attitude, to create a one-of-a-kind mixed media collage.

I love receiving handmade gifts - nothing feels more meaningful to me in these days where time is such a valued commodity. Why not begin today and in less than a few hours, create an inexpensive but great gift for one of your friends or family members this holiday season?

* 1 sheet of Craft Attitude Art Film (you can buy any one of the various packages of "Attitude" - they all contain exactly the same product, just different instructions explaining different ways to use it)

* Photograph - I used a vintage image from Tumble Fish Studio's"Winged Splendor" kit available from DeviantScrap But, why not add that extra personal touch to your gift by using your own vintage family photograph? TheGraphics Fairy also has a large selection of vintage photographs available at no cost.

* An assortment of left over scrap paper bits (if they're handmade or cotton, even better!)

* One page from a book slightly larger than the finished project dimensions (I used a vintage paper from an old dictionary)

Tip: If you like, go ahead and test different compositions by placing different papers under the transparent art film image until you are satisfied with your composition. I decided on the arrangement above and then numbered which scrap I would glue first and so on. A bit of planning at the start of your project may save you time overall.

3. Glue each scrap of paper right side up, then turn it over and adhere it to the shiny side of the Craft Attitude art film. Using a brayer or your fingers, smooth the surface to ensure maximum adhesion. Repeat, layering each scrap until you have achieved your desired composition.

Front and Back of Collage - Work in Progress

4. Take the final large printed page from a book or dictionary, cover it with glue and adhere it on top of all of the other smaller scraps, again using a brayer to ensure a full adhesion. This layer will cover any spots not covered with the other paper you've attached and shine through to the top. It also provides a good substrate to hold your final piece together.

5. Attach your collage to a mat and frame and PRESTO - another gift ready to go!

Tip:
To save money, size your final piece to standard sizes - 4x6, 5x7,
8x10. That way you'll be able to buy ready made mats and frames at a
fraction of the cost of having your artwork professionally framed. Michael's often has 40% off a large selection of their standard frames too.

The images below illustrate the final collage (both front and back) and a sequence of photos as it progressed from start to finish.

Now it's your turn! I would love to see your mixed media collages using Craft Attitude. You can mail me at trudisissons@shaw.ca with a link to your work.

Waves of gratitude flow through me each day when I view work of other artists included in this book. I mean that. To be among them is a true gift. I can't imagine life without continuing to explore my creativity daily, and this, well, it really encourages me.

My work in Seth's book took on more than what I'd initially anticipated. As many of you already know, he has a knack at digging below the 'surface' and is gifted in 'drawing out' artist's thoughts, motivations, desires, and visions. It's no surprise considering that, apart from his artistic endeavours, he also holds a PhD in psychology.

As a positive consequence, many of the questions he posed in this process shone the spotlight on several of my own thoughts/musings and encouraged me to reexamine them in detail.

Over several weeks, one of these thoughts became a goal* and finally transpired into this 47 second video below(which shows just a smattering of an estimated 150 iterations and edits.)

*To provide a tiny glance into my digital art process and provide viewers with an opportunity to understand and better appreciate this emerging new media.

In real time, "The Chairman" took over 40 hours to complete, not counting the photographic elements, nor the time spent on the initial old tattered drawing (circa 1980's) I dug up from an exercise in Betty Edwards book"Drawing From the Right Side of The Brain".

I hope it will give you a glimpse from my side of this computer screen and increase your understanding of how new media has far more in common with non-digital, traditional art techniques than what immediately meets the viewer's eye.

"The Chairman" - From a Graphite Drawing to a Digital Collage - Trudi Sissons Two Dresses Studio

As for the secrets and dreams behind what inspired me to create "The Chairman" - well, you'll have to read about them once your copy of Seth's book arrives. They may surprise you!

. This blog serves as a resting spot for my explorations in arts and in crafts and my meeting place for other art bloggers in the blogging community. It is not intended to be a diary or a journal of my personal life although occasionally life spills over into it and my thoughts seek a voice visually. I hope you enjoy your visit here and leave with a smile on your face. This blog is dedicated to the memory of my artist mother, to my wonderful soulmate, our combined 4 children, and my loyal studio partner, Mini.